Cultivation of immortality begins with an eighty-year-old eunuch.

The next day, before dawn, Chen Fan got up.

He changed into an ordinary gray robe, put the gold medal offering order into his sleeve, and left the mansion alone.

The morning mist had not yet dissipated on the streets of the imperial city, and the bluestone pavement gleamed with a wet, cold light. Occasionally, a few early-rising cultivators hurried past, and no one noticed the plain-faced man in gray robes.

The forbidden area of ​​the Zhao Kingdom's palace is located in the very center of the imperial city. Ordinary offerings can only be made to the outer perimeter; to go further in, a special guide is required.

Chen Fan's identity was special; with just a scan of his divine sense, he was able to locate the Void Refinement Ancestor.

The other party seemed to have also noticed Chen Fan's location.

After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, a stone gate came into view.

Chen Fan straightened his robes and stepped inside.

The secret chamber was small, with walls carved from single pieces of black jade. Inside, there was only a stone couch and a lamp that burned eternally. A person sat under the lamp.

The man appeared to be no more than forty or fifty years old, dressed in a plain white Taoist robe. His face was thin, and his brows held a hint of weariness that was hard to describe. There was no spiritual energy leaking from his body, yet the faint yet powerful aura he exuded enveloped the entire secret room like an undercurrent in the deep sea, causing people to involuntarily slow their footsteps and hold their breath.

Above the Great Perfection of the Nascent Soul Realm lies the Refining Void Realm.

The ancestor of the Zhao state, Zhao Yuantian.

"You are... Senior, what brings you here?"

After sensing the terrifying aura emanating from Chen Fan, Zhao Yuantian slowly spoke!

Chen Fan bowed respectfully, his voice neither humble nor arrogant: "This is Chen Fan."

Zhao Yuantian slowly opened his eyes, his sharp, restrained gaze sweeping over Chen Fan, his eyes filled with disbelief.

After a long silence, he finally spoke, his voice trembling: "You are Chen Fan? No... Senior... I remember Chen Fan was only at the Nascent Soul stage, while you... Please don't joke... If there's anything Zhao Kingdom can do to help, please let us know."

Chen Fan lowered his head slightly: "I never lie. I'm here for the Crown Prince. He wants to be the ruler of Zhao, and I grant his request!"

Zhao Yuantian was taken aback, then breathed a sigh of relief: "Yan'er is already waiting outside the hall. I will do as he says; from now on, the Zhao Kingdom will be in his hands. Please rest assured."

He paused, his gaze lingering on Chen Fan for a moment longer: "Senior... if you are willing... the Zhao Kingdom can recognize you as its master and protect you for generations."

Chen Fan cupped his hands and said, "No need, I'm leaving."

Zhao Yuantian said no more and bowed.

When Chen Fan left the secret room, the eastern sky was already beginning to lighten.

In the square outside the palace, Zhao Yan, dressed in a bright yellow python robe, stood with his hands behind his back.

Seeing Chen Fan emerge, he turned and cupped his hands in a respectful gesture, a genuine look of gratitude flashing in his eyes: "Master Chen, thank you very much for this."

Chen Fan returned the bow: "Your Highness is too kind."

Zhao Yan didn't say anything more, turned around and strode towards the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

The eunuch behind him announced the decree in a shrill voice, which carried far on the morning breeze.

"By imperial decree of the Supreme Ruler, the eldest son of the Emperor, Zhao Yan, is hereby appointed as the Ruler of the State of Zhao, and shall assume regency from this day forward. This is the imperial decree."

Chen Fan stood under the corridor, watching the bright yellow figure disappear behind the palace gate, feeling a mix of emotions.

He had spent over sixty years in the Da Yuan Imperial Palace, thinking that once he left that cage, the world would be his oyster, only to find that he had simply been placed in an even bigger cage.

Unless he becomes so powerful that no one dares to give him a hard time, it will be the same no matter where he goes.

This trip to the State of Zhao was not in vain; it also served as a way to settle the score with an old friend.

That afternoon, Chen Fan bid farewell to the Hall of Offerings.

Han Cen and Ouyang Ye personally escorted him to the teleportation hall. Han Cen patted him on the shoulder, his tone filled with genuine emotion: "Elder Chen, your life has truly been difficult. From the sealed land to where you are now, every step has been one of endurance and perseverance."

Chen Fan cupped his hands in a respectful gesture: "Take care, elders."

The teleportation array flashed, tearing and then mending space.

When the white light before his eyes dissipated, Chen Fan was already standing in the teleportation hall of the Great Yu Imperial City.

The previously noisy chatter in the hall ceased abruptly the moment he appeared. Several cultivators who were processing the teleportation procedures stared blankly at him. One of the older deacons rubbed his eyes hard, then quickly stepped forward, his voice trembling as he bowed in greeting:

"Chen...Master Chen? You're back?"

Chen Fan nodded lightly, and without lingering, went straight out of the teleportation hall.

The streets of the imperial city were much busier than when he left. Several shops along the street had new signs, and there were a few more flying boats moored on Lingzhouping than before.

As Chen Fan walked on the bluestone path, observing these subtle changes, he silently calculated the days in his mind.

More than seventy years have passed since he left Yu the Great.

Seventy-odd years is neither a long nor a short time; enough for a city to have several generations of garrison commanders, enough for a pot of wine to be brewed from the newest to the oldest.

He did not return to the post station, but went straight to Qin Taiyue's residence.

Qin Taiyue's mansion was located on the east side of the imperial city, covering a vast area. Two jade unicorns in front of the gate gleamed with a warm luster in the twilight.

Two years have passed, and the luster on the jade unicorn seems to have become even more lustrous, as if it has been polished frequently.

The gatekeeper recognized him and led him inside without announcing his arrival.

Passing through three courtyards, the bamboo forest remains the same, and moonlight filters through the bamboo leaves, casting dappled patterns on the path.

There were a few newly planted orchids in the bamboo grove, and their fragrance mixed with the fresh scent of bamboo leaves made it smell even better than before.

Qin Taiyue sat at the stone table in front of the bamboo house, brewing tea.

Two years had passed, and Qin Shilang had a few more strands of white hair at his temples, but his face was more serene than before, like a sword hidden in its sheath, its sharpness concealed.

Seeing Chen Fan enter, he merely raised his eyelids and pointed to the stone chair opposite him: "Sit."

His tone was casual, as if he were greeting an old friend who used to come often yesterday.

Chen Fan sat down opposite him, and Qin Taiyue picked up the teapot and poured him a cup of spiritual tea. The tea soup was emerald green and clear, and filled with spiritual energy.

The two sat facing each other, drinking tea, neither of them speaking first.

The night wind rustled through the bamboo forest.

It was Qin Taiyue who broke the silence first.

He set down his teacup, his gaze lingering on Chen Fan's face for a moment, before slowly saying, "I've heard about the affairs of Zhao. A top-ranking official, excelling in both alchemy and formations—not bad."

Chen Fan picked up his teacup and took a sip: "If it weren't for Minister Qin protecting us outside the Valley of Ten Thousand Demons that day, we wouldn't be where we are today."

Qin Taiyue waved his hand: "As I said, it was a deal. You brought glory to Yu the Great, and I protected you; both sides got what they wanted."

Chen Fan paused for a moment, put down his teacup, and said earnestly, "Regardless of whether it's a transaction or not, I will remember this act of protection."

Qin Taiyue glanced at him, a rare smile appearing on his square and stern face, but he quickly suppressed it.

Chen Fan sat for a while longer, then suddenly asked, "Minister Qin, where is the Eighth Prince now?"